SoCal eyes water rationing plans

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Contingency plans that could include water rationing are being developed in Southern California following a court ruling that could slash imports next winter.

The Los Angeles Daily News reported Thursday that the voluntary conservation was already being urged but a mandatory reduction in consumption was possible in the event greater cuts are needed.

The court ruling last week declared that water pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta would have to be shut off periodically to prevent the deaths of endangered delta smelt. The pumps send massive amounts of water south to Los Angeles, San Diego and other major urban areas.

The Metropolitan Water District could find itself with 30-percent less water next winter due to the shutdowns, the Daily News said.

The Daily News said the MWD, which distributes water to 26 smaller water agencies, is asking those agencies to develop their own strategies for reducing consumption in the vent voluntary conservations and winter rains don’t fill the gap.